September 2011 – No. 2

YMAP UPDATE

Hi to all in the YMAP family,

YOU ARE FABULOUS! Yes, all of you. I know it sounds a little repetitious, but it’s the best we can do to acknowledge your astounding contributions and allowing YMAP to continue to grow and blossom. Speaking of blossoming, how awesome is this spring weather?

That is me enjoying the weather, BTW!

Anyhow, thanks so much for helping Karina and myself get through the busiest term of the school year.

And whilst it’s not exactly feet up and relax time for us, we at least have some time to reflect on some tremendous work done at our partner schools

As many of you know, the programs at Footscray City and Gilmore Girls have now ended. Both were small programs but some really delightful and positive relationships were formed.

For those of you unable to make the final days, it is worth noting that some tears were shed and a couple of the students who were regular attendees were genuinely upset that we would not be back. That always happens and the journey always seems to end far too quickly.

Just a brief trawl through the post program student evaluations this morning and I can relate some of the responses, as follows:

-         “I liked being helped to find jobs and courses”;

-         “It helped me follow through on being a nurse”;

-         “I just liked having someone there for me”;

-         “It was just really fun”;

-         “I enjoyed having other people’s help”; and

-         “It helped me target what to do after VCE”.

The schools feedback has been very positive and we have already been asked back to both schools for 2012, so that is an encouraging sign. Indeed the vice principle made a point of telling me that she was aware that at least four of the girls we mentored had shown “some genuine development” thanks to the mentoring relationship.

On behalf of YMAP and both Gilmore Girls and Footscray City, thanks to the mentors for their amazing work.

My working life is a fantastic adventure, what with meeting fabulous new people from all walks of life all the time and getting to work with fantastic, energetic young people virtually every day of the week. But that joy is always tempered by the sense of loss I feel when programs end and I have to say goodbye to so many people, sometimes forever.

I am always genuinely sad to say goodbye to many of the young people we have worked with. More to the point I will miss many of you mentors.  You are so marvelous and I will miss you enormously. If we do not cross paths again, good luck on your journey, although you need to know that you would be welcome back any time. And just as you leave so many positive messages with our young people, I often learn so much from you as well.

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

-       Nelson Henderson.

I love this saying, as it truly expresses the legacy you leave when you have devoted your time and efforts to YMAP. Please know that you have had a positive effect on someone’s life.

Also, speaking of 2012, our forward planning for next year is already well under way and, thanks to the high standards we have achieved this year, we have already now had commitments from Essendon Keilor College (Niddrie campus), Essendon Keilor College (East Keilor campus), Strathmore Secondary College, Footscray City College, Gilmore Girls College and Braybrook Secondary (two programs) for next year.

And breaking news; it appears Buckley Park Secondary College is interested in bringing YMAP back to its VCAL students in 2012 as well. The program ran there until 2007 but we have had an approach from their new VCAL coordinator about re-booting YMAP at the school next year.

There has been much talk about YMAP returning to SpiritWest Services (the education arm of the Western Bulldogs Football Club). SpiritWest is a VCAL-based community school and we were hoping to return there late this year after an absence of two years.

Firstly, thanks a bunch to all the lovely volunteers who have put their hands up to staff the program should it go ahead. As many of you are aware, I am taking extended leave (finally!) later this year and Karina will be taking over in my coordinator’s role, thus the SpiritWest gig is entirely hers.

As I understand it, Karina has had a couple of meetings with the school in recent days and a decision on whether the program does or does not go ahead in 2012 will be made as early as this week. I am sure once that decision is made Karina will let you know as soon as she is able.

And just to repeat the VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER to all mentors in all programs that the school holidays are upon us and there will be NO SCHOOL from today, Monday, September 26 until Friday, October 7.

Schools commence term four on Monday, October 10.

To re-confirm our returning school arrangements for terms four:

-          At Braybrook we re-commence in the afternoon on Monday, October 10 (this program will run until November  14);

-          At EKC (East Keilor) we re-commence in the morning on Tuesday, October 11 (this program will run until November 8) and please don’t forget our first day back is the final driver’s ed. Day; and

-          At EKC (Niddrie) we re-commence in the MORNING (bearing in mind our AM/PM bi-weekly schedule) on Wednesday, October 12 (this program will run until October 26, although the school has requested we stay a week or two longer. We will let you know if there is any change to the end date).

As always thanks for your time and your wonderful work folks. We couldn’t do it without you.

Please stay great, be happy, be healthy and be kind.

I look forward to catching up with you all soon.

Greg Blake (Youth Worker)

Co-ordinator

Youth Mentoring Assisted Pathways Program (YMAP)

Maribyrnong Moonee Valley LLEN

40 Bellair Street , Kensington

P.O. Box 78 Flemington 3031

03 93767251

Mobile – 0422 763 522

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